I'm Looking Forward to Federer Ending the Year as #1

. . . which he will. A strange thing has happened to me during this absence of Nadal's as opposed to the one in 2009, when I was cursing the tennis gods that Federer got to back into that 15th slam. I'm actually enjoying watching Federer win, or try to win, as it were at the US Open. I like the way Federer plays. As I improve my own tennis game, I realize that although Nadal is my favorite player, I play much more like Federer in my own 4.0 way, of course. Federer is the most aggressive player on tour. When he sees an opening, he tries to end the point, usually on with one-two forehand punch.

If I'm honest with myself, it really hasn't been that fun to watch Nadal in a couple of years. He seems to have lost his killer instinct. I also find, as I get better at tennis, and play more and more with friends (still fiercely competitive matches), and USTA matches, that I rarely say "come on" or make any noise at all. I hit my forehand quite hard for a 4.0-4.5 but I don't grunt at all. And when I face some d-bag who is yelling "Vamos" at 30-15 in the second game of the match, it takes all the self-control I have to not scream "Vamos" mockingly back at him the next time he nets a ball.

Anyway, as Kilgore's adjutant said in Apocolypse Now, "this is Federer's beach", or maybe it was "this is Federer's court." The point is, the pros are inside now. Now wild and wooly weather, no wind, no sun, nothing but fast, low-bouncing Federer conditions. He will take Shanghai, Basel, Bercy and go undefeated in London. According to my calculations, that should do it. Make no mistake, Fed wants that YE #1 A LOT. When was the last time a year end #1 was up for grabs this late in the year? 2003?

. . . which he will. A strange thing has happened to me during this absence of Nadal's as opposed to the one in 2009, when I was cursing the tennis gods that Federer got to back into that 15th slam. I'm actually enjoying watching Federer win, or try to win, as it were at the US Open. I like the way Federer plays. As I improve my own tennis game, I realize that although Nadal is my favorite player, I play much more like Federer in my own 4.0 way, of course. Federer is the most aggressive player on tour. When he sees an opening, he tries to end the point, usually on with one-two forehand punch.

If I'm honest with myself, it really hasn't been that fun to watch Nadal in a couple of years. He seems to have lost his killer instinct. I also find, as I get better at tennis, and play more and more with friends (still fiercely competitive matches), and USTA matches, that I rarely say "come on" or make any noise at all. I hit my forehand quite hard for a 4.0-4.5 but I don't grunt at all. And when I face some d-bag who is yelling "Vamos" at 30-15 in the second game of the match, it takes all the self-control I have to not scream "Vamos" mockingly back at him the next time he nets a ball.

Anyway, as Kilgore's adjutant said in Apocolypse Now, "this is Federer's beach", or maybe it was "this is Federer's court." The point is, the pros are inside now. Now wild and wooly weather, no wind, no sun, nothing but fast, low-bouncing Federer conditions. He will take Shanghai, Basel, Bercy and go undefeated in London. According to my calculations, that should do it. Make no mistake, Fed wants that YE #1 A LOT. When was the last time a year end #1 was up for grabs this late in the year? 2003?

Click to expand...

he will not. you are just being anther sillly ****. just too many ****s here who know nothing about tennis. welcome to the club. sorry to call you stupid, but you are

. . . which he will. A strange thing has happened to me during this absence of Nadal's as opposed to the one in 2009, when I was cursing the tennis gods that Federer got to back into that 15th slam. I'm actually enjoying watching Federer win, or try to win, as it were at the US Open. I like the way Federer plays. As I improve my own tennis game, I realize that although Nadal is my favorite player, I play much more like Federer in my own 4.0 way, of course. Federer is the most aggressive player on tour. When he sees an opening, he tries to end the point, usually on with one-two forehand punch.

If I'm honest with myself, it really hasn't been that fun to watch Nadal in a couple of years. He seems to have lost his killer instinct. I also find, as I get better at tennis, and play more and more with friends (still fiercely competitive matches), and USTA matches, that I rarely say "come on" or make any noise at all. I hit my forehand quite hard for a 4.0-4.5 but I don't grunt at all. And when I face some d-bag who is yelling "Vamos" at 30-15 in the second game of the match, it takes all the self-control I have to not scream "Vamos" mockingly back at him the next time he nets a ball.

Anyway, as Kilgore's adjutant said in Apocolypse Now, "this is Federer's beach", or maybe it was "this is Federer's court." The point is, the pros are inside now. Now wild and wooly weather, no wind, no sun, nothing but fast, low-bouncing Federer conditions. He will take Shanghai, Basel, Bercy and go undefeated in London. According to my calculations, that should do it. Make no mistake, Fed wants that YE #1 A LOT. When was the last time a year end #1 was up for grabs this late in the year? 2003?

. . . which he will. A strange thing has happened to me during this absence of Nadal's as opposed to the one in 2009, when I was cursing the tennis gods that Federer got to back into that 15th slam. I'm actually enjoying watching Federer win, or try to win, as it were at the US Open. I like the way Federer plays. As I improve my own tennis game, I realize that although Nadal is my favorite player, I play much more like Federer in my own 4.0 way, of course. Federer is the most aggressive player on tour. When he sees an opening, he tries to end the point, usually on with one-two forehand punch.

If I'm honest with myself, it really hasn't been that fun to watch Nadal in a couple of years. He seems to have lost his killer instinct. I also find, as I get better at tennis, and play more and more with friends (still fiercely competitive matches), and USTA matches, that I rarely say "come on" or make any noise at all. I hit my forehand quite hard for a 4.0-4.5 but I don't grunt at all. And when I face some d-bag who is yelling "Vamos" at 30-15 in the second game of the match, it takes all the self-control I have to not scream "Vamos" mockingly back at him the next time he nets a ball.

Anyway, as Kilgore's adjutant said in Apocolypse Now, "this is Federer's beach", or maybe it was "this is Federer's court." The point is, the pros are inside now. Now wild and wooly weather, no wind, no sun, nothing but fast, low-bouncing Federer conditions.

As a longtime, hardcore Nadal fan, there has always been something a wee bit annoying about watching Federer triumph when Nadal isn't there to stop him: the most annoying examples for me, personally, were USO '08, RG '09, Wimby '09. Those matches were over before they started. None of those three opponents had any belief that they could actually win those matches.

Moving on . . . I actually might enjoy Federer winning this USO, which he will, because he's got two legitimate players that could stop him. In the old days, pre-Nole 2.0 and a more mature Murray, once Nadal was out of the draw it was snooze time. This is different. Murray is primed for a slam and ready for a good fight to get it, as exhibited by his AO semi with Nole this year and the Wimby final (a match that turned on one or two games and about five points), and Nole, despite his embarrassing first set in Cincy, seems to be locked in (I didn't watch his first two matches but those scorelines indicate he's doing something right).

The older, more mature me realizes you can't begrudge Fed any of his Nadal-less victories. The man can only play who is there in front of him. Perhaps I'm feeling sanguine because I read Fed's quote earlier tonight about Roddick. Total class. Probably the only time I've been moved by something Federer said. Not that I have anything against things he's said, it's just that he uber-diplomatic, never-let-them-see-you-sweat-demeanor has always left he wanting more from him. Calling Roddick a "Wimbledon champion" was priceless, more so coming from him as the owner of 7 titles.

He will take Shanghai, Basel, Bercy and go undefeated in London. According to my calculations, that should do it. Make no mistake, Fed wants that YE #1 A LOT. When was the last time a year end #1 was up for grabs this late in the year? 2003?

Look, winning all 4 tournaments is a huge ask for him.. but I would be overjoyed if he managed to reclaim YE#1 a second time, two years after losing it a second time. Only Lendl had ever reclaimed it after losing it before Fed did.. and to do it again, after not having it TWO years, would be awesome.

Yes, I was wrong about Federer winning the US Open. But hey, what's the fun of making predictions if you don't try to shoot the moon. This isn't cancer research were doing here on TT. Since I know you have all my posts on a printout in front of you, check my 2011 RG predictions. Pretty good, eh. Anyway, bump my thread when Fed goes on a huge tear and takes it all. I'm going to enjoy watching him beating Nole in the finals of Shanghai for starters. Not that I dislike Nole in the slightest, it's just that I'm starting to really enjoy watching Federer play. He's pretty good, you know. Something zapped my brain in the five months that Nadal has been out, and I realized tennis fandom doesn't have to be a zero sum proposition of rooting for one guy and hating the rest. Both Federer and Nadal have had spectacular careers; the achievements of one don't detract for the achievements of the other.

Yes, I was wrong about Federer winning the US Open. But hey, what's the fun of making predictions if you don't try to shoot the moon. This isn't cancer research were doing here on TT. Since I know you have all my posts on a printout in front of you, check my 2011 RG predictions. Pretty good, eh. Anyway, bump my thread when Fed goes on a huge tear and takes it all. I'm going to enjoy watching him beating Nole in the finals of Shanghai for starters. Not that I dislike Nole in the slightest, it's just that I'm starting to really enjoy watching Federer play. He's pretty good, you know. Something zapped my brain in the five months that Nadal has been out, and I realized tennis fandom doesn't have to be a zero sum proposition of rooting for one guy and hating the rest. Both Federer and Nadal have had spectacular careers; the achievements of one don't detract for the achievements of the other.

Anyway, Fed will almost definitely not be #1, since Djokovic is already in the clear as far as 2012 points are concerned. And last year he barely won any matches at this stage. This year he will be motivated to at least match Federer's points from here on.

Yeah, I was just paroding those nonsensical "weak era" theorists who think 2003 and 2005 were different eras, so none of Federer's slams count until Nadal reached his peak. (or even if Nadal is injured, regardless of peak)

Well anything's possible isn't it? But my understanding of the point differential and the year-to-date race leads me to believe that Federer would basically have to win Shanghai, Basel, Paris, and the WTF. I mean, maybe? But probably, almost definitely not. The indoor streak he's riding won't make it through to 2013. This isn't Nadal on clay no what I'm sayin'?

I am thinking of entering the pre-qualies next time Nadal takes a year off. Hopefully I won't be facing in-form Berankis or Nishioka early in the tournament. Would be nice to bag a USO and just say "i did it"...

Well anything's possible isn't it? But my understanding of the point differential and the year-to-date race leads me to believe that Federer would basically have to win Shanghai, Basel, Paris, and the WTF. I mean, maybe? But probably, almost definitely not. The indoor streak he's riding won't make it through to 2013. This isn't Nadal on clay no what I'm sayin'?

Anyway, Fed will almost definitely not be #1, since Djokovic is already in the clear as far as 2012 points are concerned. And last year he barely won any matches at this stage. This year he will be motivated to at least match Federer's points from here on.

Yeah, I was just paroding those nonsensical "weak era" theorists who think 2003 and 2005 were different eras, so none of Federer's slams count until Nadal reached his peak. (or even if Nadal is injured, regardless of peak)

Novak is already ahead by 1500 points (for 2012 only). If Fed can reduce the gap after Paris, then London will be interesting.

Fed is playing Basel but is Novak playing that. I heard not?

Click to expand...

You're right; Fed's 1515 points behind Nole. Assuming Fed and Nole meet in the finals of Shanghai and Bercy and Fed takes both, the lead will have been cut to 715. If Nole gets tripped up early and Fed wins both tournies, then Nole's lead is cut by more points. The key is that Fed has to win both.

I'm not quite sure how it will play out from there. If Fed wins Basel, he obviously gets 500 towards the race, but what about Nole? Is he playing Basel?

Federer already lost indoors to Isner this year (Davis Cup), so he's not as 'invincible' as he was in 2011. He'll pick up his yearly loss in Shanghai and Bercy, then make a decent showing at the World Tour Finals and probably win Basel. #2 for Federer.

Federer already lost indoors to Isner this year (Davis Cup), so he's not as 'invincible' as he was in 2011. He'll pick up his yearly loss in Shanghai and Bercy, then make a decent showing at the World Tour Finals and probably win Basel. #2 for Federer.

Federer has had incredible back to back indoor seasons, not to say he can't have another stellar season again, but he has played an awful lot of matches this year, and has gone deep and won many many events. Plus, he is playing many tournaments in a row without a break, which will also take its toll.

And he's getting older....

I will be happy if he can get the 300 week mark. But this really is Novak's season.

Federer has had incredible back to back indoor seasons, not to say he can't have another stellar season again, but he has played an awful lot of matches this year, and has gone deep and won many many events. Plus, he is playing many tournaments in a row without a break, which will also take its toll.

And he's getting older....

I will be happy if he can get the 300 week mark. But this really is Novak's season.

Federer has had incredible back to back indoor seasons, not to say he can't have another stellar season again, but he has played an awful lot of matches this year, and has gone deep and won many many events. Plus, he is playing many tournaments in a row without a break, which will also take its toll.

And he's getting older....

I will be happy if he can get the 300 week mark. But this really is Novak's season.

Click to expand...

Just how is this Cvac's season? He has done no better than Fed has,and has had a lousy year when you compare it to his year in 2011. I think Fed deserves the #1 ranking over Cvac. Not sure why you think otherwise(other than you're a flaming Cvactard).

Just how is this Cvac's season? He has done no better than Fed has,and has had a lousy year when you compare it to his year in 2011. I think Fed deserves the #1 ranking over Cvac. Not sure why you think otherwise(other than you're a flaming Cvactard).

Click to expand...

Djokovic has had a better year than Federer, which is why he's leading Federer in the race. Unless Federer wins the WTF, Djokovic will certainly be the more deserving player. If Federer wins the WTF, it becomes a debate with Federer having the better argument.

He may have made more finals,but he didn't win any of them. His season this year reminds me a lot of Nadal's season last year. His season was seen as a failure because he didn't win hardly any of the finals he made. I know that this place is full of double standards(especially when it comes to Nadal),but if Nadal's season was seen as a flop last year then Cvac's season this year has been a flop as well.

And even though Cvac won Toronto,he really didn't deserve to. That tournament was challenger level this year. Pathetic doesn't even begin to describe it. He has also not beaten anyone in the top 4 since June. If that were Nadal there would be a hundred threads started on here about it.

Click to expand...

If he's won tournaments without having to beat the rest of the top 4, more power to him. Not his fault. By any standards, Nadal had a great year last year. Probably his fourth best.

I've been good, my friend. Last few weeks I have been absent, because I was training for the Mr Olympia Expo Muscle Model event in Las Vegas. It was such an incredible experience for me. It was also the first time I compete in an event where they don't drug test you, all my shows previous were natural events. So I went up against some pretty intense guys.

With the heavy dieting, the two trips to the gym everyday and all the prep work, plus still doing my job, didn't leave much time for anything else. It was either I give it my full focus, so I get to step on stage or don't do it. And hey, guess who was one of the judges? David Otunga! Yep, the WWE wrestler. I got a bit of a shock when I walked onto stage and saw him sitting along with the other judges.

Saw the whole Olympia event, spoke to some of the top guys of the past and present. Guys like Kai Greene, Jay Cutler, and even Lou Ferringo. Great experience! Went to LA to visit my extended family who drove out to the desert to support me. Then I packed my bags and travelled for four days in Kiev in Ukraine, before getting back to London. A little tired right now, but trying to get back into the tennis again!

And how have you been? Did you see Raw, and what happened with CM Punk and the fans at the end of the show?

Just how is this Cvac's season? He has done no better than Fed has,and has had a lousy year when you compare it to his year in 2011. I think Fed deserves the #1 ranking over Cvac. Not sure why you think otherwise(other than you're a flaming Cvactard).

Click to expand...

He has done no better? Really? Who is leading the race at this point in time? The numbers don't lie. Novak has been the most consistent. Yes, Roger has had a great year, but Novak is the only player to make three slam finals, plus a semi. You say Rafa made all those finals last year, and people say it is a failure...well really it isn't, it is just that Novak made all those same finals as well, and was overall better in the slams than Nadal. And in 2012, Novak has overall been better again.

If Fed wants it, he is going to have to have to sweep the indoor season. Then, I will be the first to congratulate him and say he deserves it. But, at the moment, Novak for me has overall been more consistent.

If my calculations are correct (and I just added points to their current race totals, so I don't know if that takes into account zero-pointers and stuff), Federer could win Shanghai, Basel, Paris, and the WTF and still finish number two to Djokovic.

Regardless of the year end ranking it is hard to say who was the best this year:

Djokovic- best performance in slams with 3 finals.

Federer- most tournament wins. 1 more Masters title than Djokovic or Nadal.

Murray- Won a slam and biggest event so far outside the slams- the Olympics, plus a 2nd slam final unlike Federer or Nadal.

Obviously Nadal is not a factor at this point, but any of the other 3 could be argued for. Whoever wins the WTF probably has had the best year, regardless of the rankings.

It feels more like Federer or Murray's year than Djokovic's though as Federer had his old age breakthrough in a big way, and Murray his general breakthrough. Djokovic is by far the least happy of the three right now I imagine. Even Nadal is probably much more personally satisfied, breaking the Roland Garros record, and winning 3 of his 4 encounters with Djokovic (and nearly the 4th) before injury ended his year prematurely. Of the four Djokovic is the only one who has really achieved nothing special this year, even if he ends at #1.

He has done no better? Really? Who is leading the race at this point in time? The numbers don't lie.

Click to expand...

By your logic the numbers didnt lie when Wozniacki was #1 last year over Kvitova, and it was really Wozniacki's year in 2011 with her array of puny titles and not Petra with her higher # of titles, Wimbledon title, WTA Championship title, Fed Cup title, titles on all surfaces. The numbers dont lie though, I am sure one would rather want Wozniacki's 2011 year than Kvitova. This isnt as clear a case as that, but already any "numbers don't ever lie" claim is dismissed.

Just how is this Cvac's season? He has done no better than Fed has,and has had a lousy year when you compare it to his year in 2011. I think Fed deserves the #1 ranking over Cvac. Not sure why you think otherwise(other than you're a flaming Cvactard).

Regardless of the year end ranking it is hard to say who was the best this year:

Djokovic- best performance in slams with 3 finals.

Federer- most tournament wins. 1 more Masters title than Djokovic or Nadal.

Murray- Won a slam and biggest event so far outside the slams- the Olympics, plus a 2nd slam final unlike Federer or Nadal.

Click to expand...

Murray has another slam final and the Olympics, but he also doesn't have a single Masters title, which is a bit of a blight on his record. He has two chances to rectify that, though, and could also take the WTF.

If Federer wins another Masters title, he'll match his personal best of four in a year. He also has a great shot at the WTF.

Still pretty open, though. Djokovic will very likely end the year with the no. 1 ranking, but Federer and Murray have some opportunities coming up to claim the Best Player of the Year title.

If Djokovic wins another Masters and/or the WTF, then he's by far the player of the year, given his success at the slams.

Regardless of the year end ranking it is hard to say who was the best this year:

Djokovic- best performance in slams with 3 finals.

Federer- most tournament wins. 1 more Masters title than Djokovic or Nadal.

Murray- Won a slam and biggest event so far outside the slams- the Olympics, plus a 2nd slam final unlike Federer or Nadal.

Obviously Nadal is not a factor at this point, but any of the other 3 could be argued for. Whoever wins the WTF probably has had the best year, regardless of the rankings.

It feels more like Federer or Murray's year than Djokovic's though as Federer had his old age breakthrough in a big way, and Murray his general breakthrough. Djokovic is by far the least happy of the three right now I imagine. Even Nadal is probably much more personally satisfied, breaking the Roland Garros record, and winning 3 of his 4 encounters with Djokovic (and nearly the 4th) before injury ended his year prematurely. Of the four Djokovic is the only one who has really achieved nothing special this year, even if he ends at #1.

By your logic the numbers didnt lie when Wozniacki was #1 last year over Kvitova, and it was really Wozniacki's year in 2011 with her array of puny titles and not Petra with her higher # of titles, Wimbledon title, WTA Championship title, Fed Cup title, titles on all surfaces. The numbers dont lie though, I am sure one would rather want Wozniacki's 2011 year than Kvitova. This isnt as clear a case as that, but already any "numbers don't ever lie" claim is dismissed.

LOL blunt but true, especialy the late sentence regarding Hitman.

Click to expand...

Yep. And I posted some other reasons why he hasn't had a better year than Fed that was deleted,and one of them was he has not beaten anyone in the top 4 since June. He has won the 2012 Toronto Challenger,and Beijing without beating any of the top players to do it. Can you imagine if Nadal was the one racking up titles without having to beat any of the top players? This place would explode with trolling and **** fury. :shock:

If my calculations are correct (and I just added points to their current race totals, so I don't know if that takes into account zero-pointers and stuff), Federer could win Shanghai, Basel, Paris, and the WTF and still finish number two to Djokovic.

Click to expand...

No, your calculations are wrong, if federer wins shanghai, basel, paris and wtf, even if djokovic reaches all those finals, federer will be year-end number one.

Federer in case of winning all four tournies: 12985 pts
Djokovic reaching all finals: 12610 pts

No, your calculations are wrong, if federer wins shanghai, basel, paris and wtf, even if djokovic reaches all those finals, federer will be year-end number one.

Federer in case of winning all four tournies: 12985 pts
Djokovic reaching all finals: 12610 pts

Click to expand...

I have Federer at a max of 12805 if he wins all those and goes undefeated at the WTF. According to this site, Federer will be at 9805 if he wins Shanghai. With 500 from Basel, 1000 from Paris, and 1500 from the WTF, he'd reach 12805 (12605 if he lost a round robin match; just 5 points short of Djokovic). Like I said, though, I don't know if that includes 0-pointers and stuff. Where did your extra 185 points come from?

I have Federer at a max of 12805 if he wins all those and goes undefeated at the WTF. According to this site, Federer will be at 9805 if he wins Shanghai. With 500 from Basel, 1000 from Paris, and 1500 from the WTF, he'd reach 12805 (12605 if he lost a round robin match; just 5 points short of Djokovic). Like I said, though, I don't know if that includes 0-pointers and stuff. Where did your extra 185 points come from?

Click to expand...

Well, i added a 100 more pts to federer that are wrong, his ranking would really be 12895 not 12985.

My calculations are about adding the points to the present race points:

Federer: Race points as of today: 9075, if he wins next 4 tournaments: 9075+820+500+1000+1500=12895. If im not wrong he is not receiving any other 0-pointer in case of playing basel.

Djokovic: Race points as of today: 10590, if he makes final of next 3 tournaments: 10590+420+600+1000=12610. He may receive a 0-pointer for not playing basel, please someone correct me if im wrong.

Q. What are the requirements and rules for player participation for an ATP World Tour 500 tournament?
A. Top 30 players (based on 2011 year-end South African Airways ATP Rankings) must play a minimum of four 500 level tournaments during the calendar year, including at least one event following the US Open (Monte Carlo Masters 1000 event will count towards the minimum of four and all penalties apply):
-- A 0-pointer for each event less than four played.
-- A 0-pointer for withdrawing from any 500 tournament after the acceptance list is out.
-- A 0-pointer for not playing at least one event after the US Open.
-- A 0-pointer can be appealed by a player to the same tribunal formed to hear 1000 suspension appeals.
-- No suspensions or fines (including no withdrawal and late withdrawal fines).

Click to expand...

This is from the ATP rankings FAQ, ATP requires a minimum of 4 500's tournaments played, monte-carlo counts as one of them, it means djokovic will have 3 500's played(dubai, monte-carlo, beijing), so he will receive a 0-pointer for not playing basel.
Federer played rotterdam and dubai, he already received a 0-pointer for tokyo, so if he plays basel he wont receive another 0-pointer.

Well, i added a 100 more pts to federer that are wrong, his ranking would really be 12895 not 12985.

My calculations are about adding the points to the present race points:

Federer: Race points as of today: 9075, if he wins next 4 tournaments: 9075+820+500+1000+1500=12895. If im not wrong he is not receiving any other 0-pointer in case of playing basel.

Djokovic: Race points as of today: 10590, if he makes final of next 3 tournaments: 10590+420+600+1000=12610. He may receive a 0-pointer for not playing basel, please someone correct me if im wrong.

Click to expand...

I think you're still adding some points to Federer. According to the ATP website, Federer's at 8895 before Shanghai points. Adding the 90 he has from a quarterfinal showing, that's 8985. Where did you get 9075?

I think you're still adding some points to Federer. According to the ATP website, Federer's at 8895 before Shanghai points. Adding the 90 he has from a quarterfinal showing, that's 8985. Where did you get 9075?

Click to expand...

QF of a masters 1000 gives 180 pts, not 90. The 9075 are in the ATP website homepage. Check it.